Fragrances -Van Cleef & Arpels - Les Saisons AUTOMNE 
Venda 9/15/2004 9:19:00 PM
Four new fragrances are on the market from Van Cleef & Arpels each of them rendering one season. I have tried all of them and while the three (spring, summer, and winter) have left my nose and fantasy quite unimpressed. The Autumn left wonderful silage of memories and impressions right away. It is a woody-based fragrance with some traces of lily and white sandalwood according to Arpels' description. To me it is a Sunday afternoon walk in autumnal city park when the last rays of sunshine warm the ground and all the leaves and woods are exhaling the last breath before the long winter sleep. If this sounds too poetic, try this gentle woody elegant fragrance and you will understand what I meant. Despite its woody accord, it is surprisingly a feminine fragrance, perhaps thanks to the shy and light note of the lily. The lovely fragrance is a welcome break from all those generic department stores floral scents. It will not probably shatter your world by its originality, but it will definitely bring some joy into your autumnal moods. :) For the curious among us - here are some brief notes on the rest of the Les Saisons line: Spring is the greenest fragrance of the collection while the Summer is (as one expects) very fruity. The Winter rendering has a cool feel to it, almost like an ice. Each 125ml is 78 CAN$.
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Lip Gloss -Unlisted Brand - Trade Secret Lip gloss in SALSA
Venda 8/6/2004 1:26:00 PM
I usually review only fragrances, which are my passion. However, I couldn't resist to review this fabulous and almost unknown brand lip-gloss. If I'm not mistaken, it is a Canadian brand sold in the special stores called "Trade Secret" (TS). It carries variety of hair and cosmetics products and among them is a very nice line of lip-glosses. Priced about 12$ a piece (right now on sale 40% off) you can afford to buy a few for experimentation. I own a few of them, but the best one is called SALSA and it is a dead ringer for NARS "Turkish Delight" lip gloss, perhaps even better. It is a warmer pink milky color, elegant, no shimmer, grown up pink without looking too baby-doll-ish. It can be worn on its own and looks fabulous on darker complexions or in the summer with a tan (fake or not). Very wearable and the staying power is quite good since no lip product lasts on me longer than 5 minutes. This one stayed almost whole afternoon. UPDATE: I have found a company's website. It appears to be american after all. http://www.tradesecret.com
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Fragrances -Hermes - Eau des Merveilles
Venda 3/27/2004 8:23:00 PM
Nice surprise from Hermes last year disappointment from Jardin Mediteranee. This one is light, feminine and still manages to be modern and uplifting. The best part of this fragrance is the drydown with wooden accords which clings to the skin making it sexy and 'better-than-skin scent. Definitely worth the trip to the Hermes strore.
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Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Ananas Fizz Summer 2004 Limited Edition
Venda 2/25/2004 7:35:00 PM
Oh my! I'm sure you know the feeling discovering the scent you waited for sooo long! Ananas Frizz (Ananas=Pineapple) is another master piece in L'Artisan's tradition to come up for each summer with a special light treat you can enjoy in hot summer days (and in that dress you are dying to wear ;). This one is absolutely marvelous as I had the chance to try the sample. The "real thing" will come out sometimes at the end of April. The fragrance make the initial acquitance by refreshing you with shower of gentle, not too sweet and not too sharp citrusy notes while the middle note impatiently treats you with natural (not artificial) fruity notes of pineapple, duranium and shy accents of rose. And as with all great things the end is the best surprise with soft woody notes of cedar, vetiver, coconut milk and vanilla (which is almost imperceivable). To my nose it is a masterpiece I have to have! For all galls in Vancouver, Canada, it will be available in The Perfume Shoppe sometimes at the end of April. I'm already on the waiting list.
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Fragrances -Cote Bastide - Lilas (Lilac) Room spray
Venda 2/21/2004 6:57:00 PM
As a lilac fanatic always in search for the most true and real scent I was thrilled to find this little gem. I have been educated on MuA board that there is not a big difference between room spray and EdT. Well, even though I still have some reservation to put this one directly onto my skin, I enjoy to spray it in my hair and on my clothing. It is one of the most believable lilac scents one can find without the heavy sweetness, artificial feeling or powdery aftertaste (aftersmell?). There are no other notes aparent, it is simple uncomplicated one note fragrance. And yes, when now in the middle of February hoping for an early spring it will bring it to me in an instant. Close your eyes and you will feel the May gentle breeze, warm sun on your shoulders and the lovely smell of lilac bush whiffting to you as you pass by. Is there anything more romantic?
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Fragrances -Hermes - 24, Faubourg Eau Delicate
Venda 2/18/2004 1:08:00 AM
It doesn't happen very often to like most of the perfumes from one line. So, it has been a nice surprise to find a fresh and ligher version of 24, Faubourg. The original can be sometimes a little overpowering, especially in warmer and humid weather. Nonetheless, it is stunning, warm and very sophisticated fragrance which got even better in its lighter version. In the top note you can notice shy but still noticeable citrus accord. The middle and base notes don't weight the fragrance down but rather anchor the scent in the soft vanilla which clings to your skin. It is definitely a classic perfume swept into the modern times by its lightness on the wings of lightness and delicacy.
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Fragrances -Moschino - Couture!
Venda 2/3/2004 6:06:00 PM
A new addition to the Moschino line packaged in an elegant bottle with a stoper in the shape of a heart. It clearly belongs to the soft (and somewhat powdery) family of fragrances while retaining its springtime feel. After the initial fruity/floral outburst of top notes, it comfortably settles in the gentle powdery floral without being too sweet or too heavy. I did like the top note better than the middle one but when the scent reached the last state, before it disappeared after 3 hours, it was pleasant and satisfying again. All in all it is very wearable fragrance not too innovative, extreme or loud. The notes are: Bergamote, Mandarine, Pomegranate flower, Poppy seeds, Pepper, Jasmine, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Yellow Peony and Benzoin.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Jean Couturier "Lilas Mauve"
Venda 7/17/2003 10:44:00 PM
During my never ending search for the true splendid scent of lilac I came across this little well hidden bottle. Jean Couturier is more known for his fragrance "Coriander" which is abundantly available on eBay. After reading the notes of Lilas Mauve, I was intrigued enough to locate the scent with the promise of something special and just right. Well, the expectations were much preceding the reality. In the initial spray there is no trace of lilac but rather strong white flower accord which softens and settles down to generic flower fragrance rather on stronger site. Lasting power is quite good like all scents my nose dislikes. Very unmemorable fragrance. This one, I'm afraid, will stay hidden on shelves for a long time. Top notes: Yuzu, Sweet Lime, Mandarine, Blackurrant buds, Pear, Melon, Peach, Violet, Seringa and Gardenia. Middle notes: Lilac, Jasmine, Rosebud, Freesia, Pink Peppercorn and Ginger. Base notes: Sandalwood, Vetiver and White Musk. Available at www.perfumewww.com
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Fragrances -Gobin Daudé Parfums - Biche dans L'Absinthe
Venda 6/6/2003 12:52:00 PM
It is unconventional and beautifully composed soft fragrance. Its herbal tones are coming from Artemisia plant with its own unique sweet bitterness. I particularly like the drydown, when the perfume becomes even softer, mellower cross between warm and green. Definitely worth to try. It has some resemblance to the Nuit au Désert but it is more herbal. I have been very impressed with the GD fragrances so far. They have the well rounded composition, depth and have some kind of modern appeal(as opposed to the classsic Guerlain perfumes).
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Fragrances -Gobin Daudé Parfums - Nuit au Desert
Venda 6/5/2003 8:17:00 PM
What a feeling to find a gem like this scent. Very original, very inspiring, one of a kind fragrance. It is definitely not the average "smell like everybody else" perfume from department store. Behind the light sweet/green scent is lurking deliciously bitter after note. It doesn't seem to be unisex. However, it is not girly fragrance. It will bring you back those long lost daydreams when you felt like finally being yourself. Wonderful!
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Fragrances -Fruits & Passion - Tulip room spray
Venda 6/3/2003 4:23:00 PM
Despite I stick my big nose to everything and anything around me to inspect the smell, I had no idea that tulips have such a lovely smell. Just by chance I discovered a room spray and hand cream in tulip scent and bought it on the spot. Not only the price is very reasonable, I will intend to spray not only myself but my clothing and bed sheets with such a lovely scent. The most gentle sweetness of petals with hint of green, coming right on time to slow down any overindulging sweetness. It is definitely a must for any tulip lover. It is very simple and linear fragrance without any development or depth. However, for the late spring and summer just around the corner it is exactly what I prefer for warmer months. Do not expect the Serge Lutens opulence and sophistication or depth of Guerlain perfumes. This fragrance is just a child with all its innocence.
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Fragrances -Alfred Sung - Sha
Venda 6/3/2003 1:00:00 PM
I do not think much about Sung fragrances. It is one of those department stores line like thousands others. However, I was curious about the lilac based new limited edition scent. It is really based and carried by note of lilac from the initial spray to the drydown. This lilac is somewhat obscure, not fresh but rather creamy and muted. Sha is feminine fragrance without any outstanding qualities, without the romantic freshness of En Passant or depth of any perfume with substance. It is fair scent to wear on daily basis without offending or exciting anybody around you. Very similar to the lilac single note scent from Yves Rocher (Pur Desir de Lilas). If you are on the budget go for the Yves Rocher, you will get almost the same result for much less.
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Fragrances -Lothantique - Tilleul (Linden)
Venda 6/2/2003 11:23:00 PM
In a simple packaging a simple scent. Sweet, round and warm scent of linden blossoms. There is nothing sharp, dry or juicy about this fragrance. It is nice and pleasant right after the initial spray. However, it might get somewhat overwhelming with a heavy hand causing headache. I still didn't find the absolutely perfect linden trees/blossoms fragrance true to the magicaly calming and airy sweet scent of linden alley in spring. For the linden fans it should be one of their basic collection. It is less sharp, rather mild and more ligher compared to L'Occitane's Tilleul.
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Fragrances -Yves Rocher - Pur Desir de Lilas
Venda 5/20/2003 2:43:00 PM
Foolishly I expected the "cheaper" version of En Passant. Well, as always in life you get what you pay for and the world of perfumes is no different. It is pretty, linear and uncomplicated scent. Given the fact that just yesterday I smelled the bush of blooming lilac with its opulently magnificent heady scent, this one is no near the original. It seems to me, most of the YR scent has same base and only the top notes change according to the name on the bottle. It is not a bad fragrance for the money, just do not expect miracles! I'm still interested to try the Casswell-Massey lilac for comparison.
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Fragrances -L'Artisan Fragrances - Cologne Mure & Musc
Venda 5/15/2003 8:53:00 PM
The new summer scent at L'Artisan is the perfect version of Mure &Musc for summer. Blackberries mingled with pronounced citrus accord (perfect for hot days) are light and breezy while sitting on very light and not overpowering musc base. It is definitely the winner from L'Artisan's playful creations with blackberries.
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